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The first Wahine ferry in 1951
The first Wahine (built in 1913) is seen here at the beginning of her last voyage in 1951. After service in both world wars, the Wahine was chartered by the New Zealand government to carry K Force troops to the Korean War. Unfortunately, on 15 August the ship ran aground on Masela Island in the Arafura Sea. Everyone on board was safely evacuated, but the vessel was declared a total loss – a sad end to an illustrious 38-year career.
Seventeen years later, an even worse fate was to befall the ship's namesake, the second Wahine (launched in 1966).
Alexander Turnbull Library,
Reference: 114/333/04-G
Further information and copies of this image may be obtained from the library through its 'Timeframes' website,
http://timeframes.natlib.govt.nz.
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New
Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa must be obtained before any
reuse of this image.
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GoogleHow to cite this page: 'The first Wahine ferry in 1951', URL: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/the-first-wahine-ferry-in-1951, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 25-Sep-2008
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